Having agreed to write a column each week on all things going on in the Premier League, Scholes has recalled a small portion of his career, in which he explained to The Independent how his rumoured initiation was not true, which goals he rates as his best and where his career could go from here.

Tumbledryer initiation

No, it’s not true. Nicky made that up. It was another lad called Paul O’Keefe who was an apprentice. Believe it or not he was smaller than me. He was the one who got put in the tumbledryer.

His best goals

Probably the most difficult one was the Aston Villa one [in December 2006]. The most important was probably Barcelona in the [2008 Champions League] semi-final which was a bit of a miskick. A goal’s a goal at the end of the day. They all count for the same thing. Whether it is from one yard or 20 yards.

I don’t know if coaching is something I am passionate about. It is not something that has really got me going.

His punditry

I say it as I think it is. It might upset people. I give my honest opinion. If people like it or don’t then …great. Whether it is right or wrong, it’s up to people to decide. But it will be my opinion.